Which is better? Rol xp80 or Alesis QS 7

I know I don't post here often, but I have a question. I am looking for a second keyboard. I presently have a Roland EM2000 which I LOOOOVE to play at church. But I want to buy a second kb for home use to practice on. But I want a 76 note kb with good piano and string sounds. Now having said all that, I have been watching ebay for a Roland XP80 (not sure how many notes it has) and also have looked at an Alesis QS7. I have not been able to listen to either of these. Can anyone make any recommendations on one of these or even something different? How about you George? A used kb is not problem.
thanks
pat

I owned an XP50 and a QS8. The sounds and features of the XP50 far exceeded the QS8 IMHO. Of course the Alesis had a weighted 88 note keybed, but that was it, for me. The QS8 has a very woody sounding piano and the rest of the sounds were equally uninspiring. On the other hand, the Roland sounds were excellent and very editable. The sequencer and loop recording features were top notch.

Thanks for your response. I was just looking at some Korgs too. I wonder how they sound in comparison to the Roland. The onyl Korg that I have heard was PA60 and compared to the EM2000, I did not think it sound as good.

This may not be a consideration for you, but I have thought about getting a Casio WK3500 for fooling around with at home. It has good feel and piano sounds, and it is quite inexpensive.
DonM

xp 80 hands down.

Does that mean bad or good?

I really didn't care for the sounds on the casio. But then again, I guess I am spoiled with Roland.

Of the boards that have been mentioned I would highly suggest the XP80, especially since you already have an arranger and if you are going to use them in tandem. I found the earlier Korgs to be quite thin, but I'm not familiar with the PA series (they are using the Triton engine, I think). If you want something with arranger features, the Casio looks like an inexpensive yet good sounding way to go.

I understand that the G1000 is an older precurser to the EM2000. Does anyone know how it sounds??? Just trying to check out all my options here. I have about $1300 to spend. I would love to get a new kb. dreaming of a G-70 but don't think that will happen.

ptmacaw: How about adding an arranger now to your keyboard arsenal. Though I have't played it myself yet, a 76 note arranger with reported great keyfeel & which includes great piano/string sounds is the new Roland G70. Admittedly a bit pricey for a 2nd keyboard I suspect, but you could end up using the Roland EM2000 as your 2nd home practice keyboard, and playing the G70 at church, which I think would further INSPIRE your church performance.

On another note, your user name has me wondering if you might perhaps own a bird (too). I myself own an African Grey Parrot.

Scott

I do want a 76 note kb for sure. But I suspect the G-70 is out of my price range. Anyone know how much they cost? The reason I want to continue using the EM2000 at church for now is that my pastor which is the other kb player has an em2000 also and we share settings. It makes it alot easier to work together. And Yes I use to own a Blue and Gold macaw. Loved her very much but had to sell her because we were moving. The screenname is in memory of her.

XP-80 is much better than an QS7.

Soundwise... that's objective, but I really enjoy the roland's pads.

1) There are many expansion cards (SR-JV80-nn) for the XP-80 and you can have 4 installed.

2) I don't think the QS7 has an onboard sequencer. And the XP-80's onboard seq is very good.

3) Possibly the biggest reason an XP-8- is better than an QS7 is the "multi layer performances" than you can set up. This feature is fantastic fro live use. And this feature can also be used to control 16 zones, external and/or internal.

I would expect to pay about 800 for an excellent condition XP-80 but I'd only spend 450 for a QS7. (or QS7.1)


Hope this helps.
Best wishes
Bob
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Pat,
I just answered your email but now I see the post. I didn't realize you wanted a 76 note keyboard when I recommended the Yamaha PSR3000 and the EXR7 Roland which does have 76 keys.
I still think the EXR7 is very similar in sounds and styles to your EM2000 which only has 61 keys. The sequencer is 16 tracks on the EXR7 and you can load your EM2000 styles you like right into the EXR7 or play them directly from the floppy disk. This keyboard is less then your budget but would be a good choice if you don't want to leave the Roland brand and stay in your budget.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566

good.
bettr investment than alesis.
but don't pay more than 700-750$.

I chose an XP60 over anything in the price range. Ive owned an XP60 and loved it, but soon after had to upgrade to a Fantom-S. Cant go wrong with an XP, great KB.

Phil

Anyone other opinions on the EXR7 ?

76 keys with some OK sounds and poor functions compared to Korg and Yam.

2 variations for each style and no style creation(unlike same priced PA 50 and psr 1500).

better to get used xp for fantom.
though keys and some sounds are OK/good
if you are looking for an arranger it's a poor choice.you can get better for the money.

psr 1500/2100
PA50(hard to beat sound wise-to both yam and roland,except for ac piano)
used VAs

Jamman,
I need to differ here with your opinion on the EXR7. First, there are 3 band sizes with 2 variation each. Drum and Bass, Band, and full Band.
Also, even though you can't record your own style, it is very easy to put up to 100 user styles in Flash memory. I have done this at my store and put in some of my best Roland styles and ethnic styles.
Sound wise, the stereo grand piano is really good (from the VA76) and most of the sounds are equal to the other arrangers in my opinion.
The 16 track sequencer allows you to record just the style track and then go back in and record the other tracks or do them all at the same time (if you could play that way!)
There is a floppy drive for midi song playback and loading styles, USB port for hooking to a computer) D Beam for waving you hand all around the keyboard and triggering sounds or adding vibrato or turning on and off style tracks or adding a fill.
There are performance memories for storing everything you want with 1 button.
The keyboard has 76 keys, speakers and is lightweight.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

George, I owned a VA7 before I bought an EM2000. The sounds were great. The only two things I didn't care for was the touch screen (for live performance I thought it was kind of slow) and there was no fade in/out button. Is the EXR7 touch screen and does it have the fade in/out feature? I am really considering the EXR7. Mainly because for what I spend on a used XP I can buy a new kb with warranty. Could anyone send me some close up shots of the EXR7? I would like a close up view. Unfortunately, I haven't seen one in our area to try out. Any more info you can give me George?? Email me and let me know the best price from you ok? thanks

Pat,
There is no touchscreen on the EXR7 and I just sent you an email with my price. Knowing you like roland keybords and arrangers (having styles), I think you will like the EXR7 alot. Go to www.rolandus.com to see pictures.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Pat, here is a link to see pictures and info on the EXR7.
http://www.rolandus.com/products/details.asp?catid=8&subcatid=39&prodid=EXR%2D7

George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California